Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-10-28
A JAPANESE LOVE STORY.

At one end of the long street forming
the village of Morioka, in Japan, stood
the low matched cottage in which the sis
tiers O-Suba and Niya lived with widowed
aunt. Their father had fallen in battle,
and his wife soon followed him to the
grave, committing her children to the care
of their only remaining relative. O-Suba,
the elder, was a brunette, with sparkling
black eyes and white teeth that shone be-
tween full, rudy lips. She was taller
than Niya, who was fair and slight, with
mild blue eyes and a soft voice.
For over year O-Suba had been be-
trothed to Kampei the son of a neighbor-
ing farmer. Their parents had arranged
the matter. Though it was not made
formal by an exchange of presents, the
young people regarded it as settled; and
the marriage was deferred only until
Kampei returned from a campaign against
a rebel prince, in which he was to follow
his lord, his father being too old to take
the field
When the young man called on the sis
ters in order to say adieu, he was morti
fed by O-Suba's manner, which seemed
to show that she regarded his absence as
reprieve; and his face betrayed his feel
ings
do not look thus, good Kampei, before
your commander!'' she said laughingly
'EHe will think you coward. Go and
win booty and come back covered with
glory. Who would not be soldier rather
than mean farmer?' she cried with ami
nation. "a warrior is a gentleman, has
his pocket full of bright silver and is
esteemed by his lord. Co. Kampei; 1 shall
despise you if you hesitateP'
Kampei was stung by her tones and rose
hastily. A deep sigh reached him, and on
turning around he saw Niya sitting in
corner of the room, her face buried in the
loose sleeves of her robe.
Farewell, Niya," he said.
A sob rose in the girls throat as she re-
piled, Farewell, Kampei And remem-
ber," she faltered, ''that if anything oc-
ours to you, 1--we shall be broken
hearted
"You will not forget me, O-Suba? 1t
will cheer me to know that
~ shall not forget you," she said i'm
patiently; and the young man left, catch
ing glance as he closed the garden gate
of O-Suba waving a gay adieu, and of
Niya with her face hidden in her hands.
One day, a few months after KAN
pei's departure, his mother called at the
cottage, and after relating pitiful tale of
bad harvests, poverty and debt, said that
her husband, who was in feeble health,
would be sent to prison if she could not
obtain eighty riyos, and she begged O.
Suba, as her sons betrothed, to at least
lend that sum to her. O-Suba treated the
poor woman harshly, refused the money
and reminded her visitor that as presents
are not yet exchanged their marriage must
not be regarded as certain
Niya in vain urged her aunt to apply
| portion of her little fortune to the farmers
relief Her relatives were obdurate, and
the old woman was going away sadly,
| when the younger girl sprang up, thrust
her feet into her sandals and hurried after
the visitor, overtaking her before she
reached the gate.
"When must you have the money?'
| she asked.
"Within three days, Niya."
''You shall have it,, said the girl; and
escaping from the thanks and blessings of
the old woman, she returned to the house.
| She threw herself on the mat in corner,
| clasped her hands and puckered her brow
| thoughtfully.
| Suddenly she uttered a joyous cry.
The screens were drawn back, leaving the
whole front of the house open; and Niya
saw pair of swallows fly into the room
and perch on the space between the wall
and the ceiling. chirping and chattering
| together busily.
s.See, sister, the pretty birds are going
to build; good fortune will be ours.
Sh-h-h! Dear O-Suba, do not disturb
them!" and she laid her hand imploringly
on her sisters arm as O-Suba laughed at
her enthusiasm.
Niya sat there eagerly watching the
movements of the birds and their many
flights to and fro while building their nest.
Her relatives went out soon after and
Niya, after q long look at the still busy
swallows, dressed herself and went out,
too. When O-Suba and her aunt re-
turned Niya was not at home end it was
long before they saw her face.
When the army to which Kalnpei be-
longed was disbanded his comrades gave
themselves up to revelry, while he, eager
to see O-Suba and anxious to see about
his parents, of whose troubles he had
heard, fastened homeward.
| He was within a short days journey OF
his native village, when toward sunset he
reached tea house bearing on one of the
posts the sign "Chaya Of the Verdant
Cherry Blossom" The screens forming
the front were thrown back, showing the
whole inside of the house, divided into
apartments by movable partitions; and in
one of the rooms number of gentlemen
retainers' sat drinking, their songs reach
ing the passers by mingled with the noise
of their quarl'els
| AS Kampei cast away outside the We
randa his dusty sandals some of the fe-
male attendants ran out to meet him with
cries of welcome
"Good afternoon, sir! Be good enough
to walk inside and rest, sir. The sun is
hot, the roads are parched and you must
be weary We have liquor of Tensnii
and Satsuma tobacco and fragrant tea. !"
With many bows they led him into an
unoccupied room, and when food and
drink were placed before him he was left
alone. He was soon waited on by another
girl. who came to inquire if he wanted
anything more, and Kampei was astound-
ed to recognize in the new conner Nlya-
but not the Niya in quiet attire, with
downcast looks, whom he left behind at
Morioka. She had gay clothes; her hair
was adorned with large gold headed pins
and her face powdered.
Niya drew back in confusion on seeing
Kampei; then, collecting herself, she adj
yanced, and, pretending not to recognize
him. said GA gentleman OF the army of
chastisement is welcome to the chaya.
J VIC ore thankful that he deigns to honor